Looking to punch up your dining area or den? Try this simple nautical inspired decorating project. Use Painters� tape, fabric paint, and lengths of unadorned canvas drop cloth or cushion covers to create summery striped tablecloths or seat cushions. To make them, lay the fabric on a fat work surface and carefully apply painters� tape to create neat stripes, outlining the spaces you�d like to paint. You can make the stripes wide, narrow or some combo of the two. Then mix fabric pain with paint extender in a two to one ratio to give it a natural-looking translucence. Using a stenciling brush, gently tap paint between the tape strips. Layer on more paint as needed. Let the stripes dry, and remove the tape. Set the paint according to the manufactures directions.

Canvas drop cloth, 5.75 x8.75 $10 homedepot.com

Textile color, in scarlet red, white and navy and colorless extender $2.50 for 2 � ounce by Jacquard and stencil brush 1" $4.99 at dickblick.com

I think I will do this for my tables for our Independence Day Pig Roast!!!

I will upload a pic from the Martha Stewart Living mag when my photo sharing site comes back online!